Readers’ Choice 2020
PART 8 CONTENTS
- Winnipeg’s Doug Smith and Vancouver’s Jean Napali feature 15 songs that’ll expand your musical audioscape including Coltrane to Seeger (played by pianist David Berkman), a new tune from London Grammar, the always intriguing Agnes Obel, David Bromberg, Haelos, the underappreciated Bird York, The National’s Matt Berninger playing solo and more.
- THE READER’S CHOICE 2020 PLAYLIST is on YouTube and Spotify. It samples a selection of the songs recommended in this year’s 10-part series.
This is the third annual Readers’ Choice January series featuring subscribers’ top listens of the past year.
Stay tuned and enjoy,
23 January 2021
Doug Smith
Winnipeg MB
Four Songs
• David Bromberg doing far more than just blowing the bloody doors off of Big Road.
• Everything that rises, coverages. David Berkman: The Music of John Coltrane & Pete Seeger
• Danish String Quartet has the Last Laugh.
• The Matt Wilson Quartet with Hug!, the song that kicks COVID’s ass.
About Doug: Doug Smith has been socially isolating for years
Jean Napali
Vancouver BC
Two songs I discovered this year and fell in love with are:
Bird York: Haunting You
Michael Kiwanuka: Cold Little Heart
A number of artists/groups that are in my frequent rotation put out new music this year, with songs worth a listen, though none of these have yet been added to my phone. : )
London Grammar: Californian Soil
Jason Isbell: Overseas
Haelos: I’m There
Boy and Bear: Telescope (acoustic)
Future Islands: Born In A War
Of Monsters and Men: Visitor
Ane Brun: Closer
Agnes Obel: Broken Sleep
And, one more: a new-to-me artist Matt Berninger – Serpentine Prison from the album of the same name.
About Jean: Music, as a single person during this unusual year, you have been my most constant companion. We’ve danced, laughed and cried together. Sometimes I’ve not liked you, so ignored you, turned to another, or expressed frustration with your rhythm and/or lack of intelligent conversation. Sometimes I have to listen to you a few times before I come to appreciate the unique beauty you offer. Thanks for always being there.
